**WASHINGTON, January 21 (Reuters)** – The head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) firmly stated on Wednesday that his agency is not the bottleneck hindering Boeing’s efforts to secure regulatory approval for the latest iterations of the 737 MAX series.
Speaking to journalists in Washington following a scheduled address, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford addressed the ongoing process concerning the certification of the smaller 737 MAX 7 and the expanded 737 MAX 10 models.
Bedford underscored the fact that the regulatory body has dedicated significant personnel and institutional resources toward accelerating Boeing’s timeline for these new aircraft variants. However, he stressed that the final responsibility for completing the necessary technical requirements rests with the manufacturer.
“While we are committed to facilitating their progress, Boeing must still execute the required validation work,” Bedford explained. “We can provide the support needed to reach that destination, but the actual execution is their duty, and they are currently engaged in that work.”
The Administrator was explicit in dismissing any suggestion that the FAA was intentionally slowing down the process. Reaffirming his agency’s commitment to safety and efficiency, Bedford concluded: “I do not view the FAA as the impediment to the certification of either the MAX 7 or the MAX 10.”
